Spontaneous combustion.

TM 38-400/NAVSUP PUB 572/AFMAN 23-210 MCO 4450.14/DLAM 4145.12

nails protruding from units, dunnage, or boards will be

l. Storing of cylindrical units. Cylindrical units

pounded level or removed.

stored in horizontal position will be blocked, nested, or

separated by notched horizontal spacers, as applicable.

o. Storing of flammable packing materials. Provide

closed bins for storing flammable packing materials

m. Corner markers. In bulk storage, the use of

pending use by the packing section.

corner markers at main and cross aisle intersections will

be based upon necessity through local determination.

p. Clear aisles and exits. Keep aisles and exits

The need for corner markers at main and cross aisle

clear at all times.

intersections should be limited to those intersections

were operating MHE may damage containers or

6-45. Floor load limits.

material in storage. Corner markers are not required at

Floor load limits will be observed whether a warehouse

the main and cross aisle intersections where storage

is of single or multistory construction. It is the activity

racks or bins are erected. Suggested corner marker

Civil Engineering Officer's duty to see that floor

construction is as follows and may be locally

capacities are determined and signs are posted in

constructed:

conspicuous places stating the capacity of all floors in

that area. For safety standards concerning floor loads,

refer to 29 CFR 1910.22, (d)(1).

(1) Plywood of 1/2 to 3/4 inch thickness is a

good material for corner markers. If markers are for

6-46. Spontaneous combustion.

outside storage areas, exterior-type plywood should be

Under special conditions, certain materials generate

used. Other products such as sheet metal, hardboard,

enough heat to ignite spontaneously. Oils, lubricants,

or particle board can be considered if cost effective

and fats when absorbed by fibrous materials such as

under local conditions. The use of hinges to join the two

rags, waste, and paper are particularly dangerous.

wings of the corner markers will make it easier to move

Other such items are coal, brooms, oakum, jute, hemp,

and store the markers when necessary.

green fiber, sisal, skins, rubber, metal dross and

(2) Corner markers may be triangular,

turnings, leather scrap, and items containing a

square, or rectangular. Triangular shapes are the most

nitrocellulose base. The chief cause of fire is poor

easily identified shapes to denote corner markers and

housekeeping.

Paper, scrap, excelsior, and other

are the most economical to construct. However, square

combustible packing materials must be placed in

or rectangular shapes offer more surface area for visual

approved containers or structures.

To combat

attention and physical protection against MHE and

combustion, proper ventilation must be provided at all

should be considered for use in bulk storage areas.

times. Spontaneously combustible materials will be

(3) Markers should not be less than 30 inches

segregated from each other and from other flammable

high or 24 inches wide (along one wing). No maximum

materials in accordance with TM 38-410/DLAM

size is established, but a square marker that measured

4145.11/NAVSUP PUB573/AFR69-XX/ MCO 4450.XX.

48 inches along each side would be considered a large

size.

6-47. Adequate illumination in storage areas.

Adequate lighting in storage areas decreases safety

NOTE

hazards and enhances workers' health and morale.

To reduce splintering, 2 or 3 inches could be

Adequate lighting minimizes sight weaknesses,

removed from each sharp point.

conserves manpower, and will be maintained at all

times in working areas and traversed spaces. Such

(4) Alternating yellow and black diagonal

lighting will be free from glare caused by exposed bulbs

stripes 3-5 inches wide will be painted on each wing of

or reflection from highly polished surfaces. Provision

the corner marker. The yellow should be color No.

will be made for an adequate number of globes or tubes

13538 or 13655 and should be the predominant color on

and reflectors to prevent glare. Lamps of proper

the marker (i.e., if there is room for seven stripes, four

voltage, wattage, and type for the area will be provided.

stripes will be yellow and three stripes will be black). If

Burned out globes or tubes will be replaced promptly.

corner markers are also used as row markers, it is

Globes, reflectors, and walls effecting the lighting should

permissible to have a suitable area on the markers

be kept clean at all times. Walls should be painted a

reserved for a numbering system.

light shade and lighting should be at recommended

levels (see reference to documents of appropriate

military department). Some types of fluorescent lamps

n. Loose straps and protruding nails. Remove all

are now approved for class 1,

loose straps or wire from units and loads in storage to

prevent future injury of personnel when handling. All

6-15